DECEMBER 7, 1941 – A SURPRISE ATTACK THAT CHANGED THEIR LIVES FOREVER.

Hawaii, 1941; the attack on Pearl Harbor is coming, and two fighter pilots (Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett) are at odds over an attractive nurse (Kate Beckinsale).

This was meant to be director Michael Bay’s own Titanic (1997), a lauded epic with grand visual effects and a romance in the shadow of historic events. The attack that led to war for the U.S. may be staged with ear-splitting force and certain richness in detail, both ingenious and shocking, but the film is overlong and the romance very uninvolving.

Hans Zimmer’s stirring music compensates to some degree.

2001-U.S. 183 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Michael Bay. Screenplay: Randall Wallace. Music: Hans Zimmer. Song: “There You’ll Be” (Diane Warren). Cast: Ben Affleck (Rafe McCawley), Josh Hartnett (Danny Walker), Kate Beckinsale (Evelyn Johnson), Cuba Gooding, Jr., Alec Baldwin, Jon Voight, Mako, Tom Sizemore, Dan Aykroyd, Michael Shannon, Jennifer Garner, William Fichtner. 

Trivia: Co-produced by Bay. Matt Damon, Charlize Theron and Gwyneth Paltrow were reportedly considered for lead roles.

Oscar: Best Sound Editing.